don_g Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 My venerable De Dion tube failed at Brands last week - fortunately without any damage at all to me or the car. The tube is ancient but, as those of you who know how I drive will agree, rarely subject to much stress. It was also crack tested prior to Le Sept, showed no rust or polishing along the fracture line and was rarely kerbed, indicating a pretty sudden failure. If it does go you'll get no more than a couple of hard corners worth of warning. If you can't put the changes in handling down to oil, wet, etc retreat to the pits and explore! On my return to the pits there was less than one inch of intact tube remaining! And the negative camber on the 'failed' side was around 30 degrees! The new ones are thicker (10 gauge), heavier and shouldn't fail (!). But check 'em! P.S Gary May (he of Juno Sportscars and Freestyle fame) provided a spare and we fitted it at the track. Thanks to Gary (diamond guy) and the apprentices! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted August 19, 2002 Share Posted August 19, 2002 Could unusual sideways forces have contributed? Or overly full picnic boxes perhaps? Sorry to hear of the hassle. Will take a good look at mine when the car gets stripped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyV Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Can you give more detail as to year of failed tube... When did the "thicker" ones start...and where do they fail? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miraz Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 It's also worth checking your replacement tube thoroughly - I know of two supplied in the last couple of months that have had six degrees of toe-in, which is less than desirable. Miraz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 The newer ones have a much longer / stronger strengthening triangulation. These however seem to fail at the weld for the progressive springs and damper mounts. The old through the tube damper mount is probably stronger. My tube has both types of mounting point. I guess they all do. Interesting about the camber increase and how it feels as it goes.... A Sierra in front of me at Brands on Saturday had his left rear dissappear into the wheel arch. Following him on the warm up lap for qualifying I could see he had problems getting the power down out of Clarke curve, then the left started smoking then cambered up massively and he was avoided rapidly. Steve My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Hants (North) and Berkshire area club site here Edited by - stevefoster on 20 Aug 2002 11:22:17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 same thing happened to our nurburgring 24hour car.. luckily with enough time to swap it.. but it went in exactly the same place. it was said to be terrifying when it happened.. the car "snapped" sideways in the middle of bigger and quicker traffic, on the nordschleife. all's well that ended well though, as my forthcoming feature in low flying will detail. PLUG ! PLUG ! 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 I know of 3 variations of de dion tube (having used all of them !) Original design (circa 1990) Original design but in heavier gauge material Wide Butress design (the bit that the a frame connects to) and heavier gauge "race" tube. There could be more ! The Wide butress type requires (on my 1990 chassis) that the chassis tube (in the area of the a frame bush) is flattened off to clear the de dion tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Interesting ECR. Prior to this I only knew of 2 variants. Good to know that! Steve My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Hants (North) and Berkshire area club site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted August 20, 2002 Share Posted August 20, 2002 Miraz - I've spoken to a few people regarding the excess toe in problem - one was caused by the diff having a chat with it and the other one is still a mystery. I've spoken to Ratrace, Gunnar, Peter and Bruce and the mysery one is still a mystery... HOOPY CYCLE WINGS CUCUMBER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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